Saudi Aramco CEO warns of 'painful awakening' as energy costs rise Amin Nasser said that green energy would not replace oil as demand for crude continues to grow, especially from the Global South. Saudi Arabia
Exclusive Saudi finance minister hints kingdom could meet 2030 renewables target early On Monday, the kingdom commissioned its largest battery energy storage system to its grid, with a capacity of 500 megawatts and the ability to store 2,000 megawatt hours of electricity. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Exclusive Global renewables surge forward despite Trump’s climate reversals, says IRENA chief Although Gulf countries are still heavily reliant on oil and gas, they are quickly moving toward a greener system, International Renewable Energy Agency head Francesco La Camera told Al-Monitor. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Gulf wealth funds propel Middle East deals in 2024 The Gulf region continued its trajectory toward becoming a global investment powerhouse as sovereign wealth funds fed capital into AI, clean energy, entertainment, sports, start-ups and tourism. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Despite green energy deal blitz, Middle Eastern climate efforts fell flat in 2024 By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
In Glasgow, Israel’s Bennett pledges net zero emissions by 2050 Addressing the COP26 summit in Glasgow, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vowed that Israel would reduce greenhouse emissions to net zero by 2050. Israel
The Takeaway: Sudan’s fragile economic stability at risk after military takeover Saudi Arabia’s plan for “net-zero”; Turkey’s spy busts; Syria’s rebel factions; Egypt’s robot detention; fatwas on marital sex and bodybuilding; fishing for plastic in the Nile … all in about 1,500 words! Sudan
Iraq opts for clean energy in ambitious energy reform program Iraq is signing contracts with international companies to produce clean energy in a bid to curb its rising pollution curve. Iraq
A net-zero Saudi Arabia? Not so fast The kingdom is unlikely to achieve net zero emissions soon, but the ambition to do so, and the plan, is an impactful step in the right direction. Gulf
Flurry of activity in Israel as Glasgow climate summit approaches Israeli President Isaac Herzog has established the Israeli Climate Forum ahead of the COP 26 summit in Glasgow. Israel
Egypt-Greece-Cyprus summit prioritizes energy cooperation Egypt is also working to repair its relations with Greece and Cyprus’ rival, Turkey. Egypt
Israeli minister blames Netanyahu for jeopardizing ties with Jordan For Energy Minister Karin Elharar, the accusations leveled by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Israel allegedly giving Jordan water for nothing in return, are simply fake news. Israel
Infrastructure aid won't help Turkish city maintain welcome for half-million Syrians A new waste management facility in Gaziantep aims to help the city cope with the challenges of half a million Syrian refugees, but it is unlikely to fix the growing local resentment toward them. Turkey
At OECD, Israel joins global battle against climate change Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg and Energy Minister Karin Elharar are both in Paris for the OECD ministerial summit, pledging Israel’s commitment to battle global climate change. Israel
After summer of severe floods and fires, Turkey to ratify Paris Agreement In his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the Paris Climate Agreement would be submitted to Turkey’s parliament for approval next month. Turkey
UAE sets new climate standard for Gulf with goal of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions The UAE could become the first Gulf state to set a net-zero goal, raising questions over emissions of fossil fuels produced to power the global economy. Gulf
Israel suspends fuel-transport deal with UAE The environmental decision to halt the fuel-transport deal with the Emirates created the first real diplomatic crisis between the countries since the signing of the Abraham Accords. Israel
